Ionic liquids having uronium cations and a process for making same

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to salts having uronium cations and to a process for preparing same comprising alkylating urea C(O)(NR 2 ) 2  using an ester AR o .

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/558,748, filed on Dec. 1, 2005.

The present invention relates to salts containing uronium or thiouronium cations and various anions, to processes for the preparation of these salts, and to the use thereof as ionic liquids.

Ionic liquids or liquid salts are ionic species which consist of an organic cation and a generally inorganic anion. They do not contain neutral molecules and generally have melting points below 373 K. A multiplicity of compounds which are used as ionic liquids are known in the prior art. Thus, solvent-free ionic liquids were disclosed for the first time by Hurley and Wier in a series of US patents (U.S. Pat. No. 2,446,331, U.S. Pat. No. 2,446,339 and U.S. Pat. No. 2,446,350). These “room temperature molten salts” were based on AlCl₃ and a multiplicity of n-alkylpyridinium halides.

In recent years, some review articles have been published on this topic (R. Sheldon “Catalytic reactions in ionic liquids”, Chem. Commun., 2001, 2399-2407; M. J. Earle, K. R. Seddon “Ionic liquids. Green solvent for the future”, Pure Appl. Chem., 72 (2000), 1391-1398; P. Wasserscheid, W. Keim “Ionische Flüssigkeiten—neue Lösungen für die Übergangsmetallkatalyse” [Ionic Liquids—Novel Solutions for Transition-Metal Catalysis], Angew. Chem., 112 (2000), 3926-3945; T. Welton “Room temperature ionic liquids. Solvents for synthesis and catalysis”, Chem. Rev., 92 (1999), 2071-2083; R. Hagiwara, Ya. Ito. “Room temperature ionic liquids of alkylimidazolium cations and fluoroanions”, Journal of fluorine Chem., 105 (2000), 221-227).

The properties of ionic liquids, for example melting point, thermal and electrochemical stability, viscosity, are greatly influenced by the nature of the anion. By contrast, the polarity and hydrophilicity or lipophilicity can be varied through a suitable choice of the cation/anion pair. There is therefore a demand for novel ionic liquids having varied properties which facilitate additional possibilities with respect to their use.

The object of the present invention is to provide novel stable salt-like compounds having valuable properties which can be used as ionic liquids, and a process for the preparation thereof. In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide ionic compounds having very stable cations.

This object is achieved by the provision of salts having uronium or thiouronium cations in which the positive charge is delocalised over a plurality of hetero atoms according to the general formula (1)

in which

-   -   X denotes O or S,     -   in which the substituents R and R⁰ each, independently of one         another, have the meaning of     -   straight-chain or branched alkyl having 1-20 C atoms,     -   straight-chain or branched alkenyl having 2-20 C atoms and one         or more double bonds,     -   straight-chain or branched alkynyl having 2-20 C atoms and one         or more triple bonds     -   saturated, partially or fully unsaturated cycloalkyl having 3-7         C atoms,     -   which may be substituted by alkyl groups having 1-6 C atoms,     -   and R may also denote hydrogen,     -   where one or more substituents R or R⁰ may be partially or fully         substituted by halogen or partially by CN or NO₂, but where         halogenation in the α-position in R⁰ is excluded, and     -   halogen denotes F, Cl, Br or I,     -   where the substituents R and R⁰ may be connected to one another         in pairs by a single or double bond     -   and where one carbon atom or two non-adjacent carbon atoms of         one or more substituents R or R⁰ which are not directly adjacent         to the hetero atom may be replaced by atoms and/or atom groups         selected from the group —O—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O —, —S—, —S(O)—,         —SO₂—, —SO₃—, —N═, —N═N—, —NH—, —NR′—, —PR′—, —P(O)R′—,         —P(O)R′—O—, —O—P(O)R′—O—, and —P(R′)₂═N—, where R′ is         unfluorinated, partially or perfluorinated alkyl having 1-6 C         atoms, saturated or partially unsaturated cycloalkyl having 3-7         C atoms, unsubstituted or substituted phenyl or an unsubstituted         or substituted heterocycle,         and     -   A- is selected from the group consisting of:     -   [R¹SO₃]⁻, [R^(F′)SO₃]⁻, [(R^(F)SO₂)₂N]⁻, [(R^(F)SO₂)₃C]⁻,         [(FSO₂)₃C]⁻, [R¹CH₂OSO₃]⁻, [R¹C(O)O]⁻, [R^(F′)C(O)O]⁻,         [CCl₃C(O)O]⁻, [(CN)₃C]⁻, [(CN)₂CR¹]⁻, [(R¹O(O)C)₂CR¹]⁻,         [P(C_(n)F_(2n+1−m)H_(m))_(y)F_(6−y)]⁻, [P(C₆F₅)_(y)F_(6−y)]⁻,         [R¹ ₂P(O)O]⁻, [R¹P(O)O₂]O²⁻, [(R¹O)₂P(O)O]⁻, [(R¹O)P(O)O₂]²⁻,         [(R¹O)(R¹)P(O)O]⁻, [R^(F) ₂P(O)O]⁻, [R^(F)P(O)O₂]²⁻,         [BF_(z)R^(F) _(4−z)]⁻, [BF_(z)(CN)_(4−z)]⁻, [B(CN)₄]⁻,         [B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻, [B(OR¹)₄]⁻, [N(CF₃)₂]⁻, [N(CN)₂]⁻, [AlCl₄]⁻ or         [SiF₆]²⁻,     -   where the substituents R^(F) and R^(F′) each, independently of         one another, the meaning of     -   perfluorinated and straight-chain or branched alkyl having 1-20         C atoms, where the trifluoromethyl group is excluded for R^(F′),     -   perfluorinated and straight-chain or branched alkenyl having         2-20 C atoms and one or more double bonds,     -   perfluorinated phenyl and saturated, partially or fully         unsaturated cycloalkyl having 3-7 C atoms, which may be         substituted by perfluoroalkyl groups,     -   where the substituents R^(F) or R^(F′) may be connected to one         another in pairs by a single or double bond and     -   where one carbon atom or two non-adjacent carbon atoms of the         substituent R^(F) or R^(F′) which are not in the α-position to         the hetero atom may be replaced by atoms and/or atom groups         selected from the group —O—, —C(O)—, —S—, —S(O)—, —SO₂—, —N═,         —N═N—, —NR′—, —PR′— and —P(O)R′— or may have an end group         R′—O—SO₂— or R′—O—C(O)—, where R′ denotes unfluorinated,         partially or perfluorinated alkyl having 1-6 C atoms, saturated         or partially unsaturated cycloalkyl having 3-7 C atoms,         unsubstituted or substituted phenyl or an unsubstituted or         substituted heterocycle         and     -   where the substituents R¹ each, independently of one another,         the meaning of     -   hydrogen in the case where A⁻=[(CN)₂CR¹]⁻ or [(R¹O(O)C)₂CR¹]⁻         and X=O or S, or     -   hydrogen in the case where A⁻=[R¹CH₂OSO₃]⁻, X=S or O and the         substituents R and R⁰=alkyl groups having 1 to 20 C atoms,     -   straight-chain or branched alkyl having 1-20 C atoms,     -   straight-chain or branched alkenyl having 2-20 C atoms and one         or more double bonds,     -   straight-chain or branched alkynyl having 2-20 C atoms and one         or more triple bonds,     -   saturated, partially or fully unsaturated cycloalkyl having 3-7         C atoms,     -   which may be substituted by alkyl groups having 1-6 C atoms,     -   where the substituents R¹ may be partially substituted by CN,         NO₂ or halogen and     -   halogen denotes F, Cl, Br or I,     -   where the substituents R¹ may be connected to one another in         pairs by a single or double bond and     -   where one carbon atom or two non-adjacent carbon atoms of the         substituent R¹ which are not in the α-position to the hetero         atom may be replaced by atoms and/or atom groups selected from         the group —O—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —S—, —S(O)—, —SO₂—, —SO₃—, —N═,         —N═N—, —NH—, —NR′—, —PR′— and —P(O)R′—(O)R′—, (P(O)R′O—,         OP(O)R′O—, —PR′₂═N—, —C(O)NH—, —C(O)NR′—, —SO₂NH— or —SO₂NR′—,         where R′ denotes unfluorinated, partially or perfluorinated         alkyl having 1-6 C atoms, saturated or partially unsaturated         cycloalkyl having 3-7 C atoms, unsubstituted or substituted         phenyl or an unsubstituted or substituted heterocycle     -   and the variables     -   n denotes 1 to 20,     -   m denotes 0, 1, 2 or 3,     -   y denotes 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4,     -   z denotes 0, 1, 2 or 3,         with the proviso that     -   for X=S and R and R⁰=alkyl groups having 1 to 20 C atoms, the         anions     -   A⁻=[BF₄]⁻, CF₃COO⁻, [B(C₆H₅)₄]⁻ or [CH₃C₆H₄SO₃]⁻ are to be         allowed         and     -   for X=O, the anions A⁻═CF₃COO⁻ and [B(C₆H₅)₄]⁻ are to be allowed         and     -   for X=O and R⁰=ethyl, the anion A⁻=CH₃CH₂OSO₃ ⁻ is to be         excluded.

For the purposes of the present invention, fully unsaturated substituents are also taken to mean aromatic substituents.

The compounds according to the invention are distinguished, in particular, by very stable cations.

The compounds according to the invention are accordingly salts which have optionally substituted thiouronium or uronium cations.

Besides hydrogen, suitable substituents R are, in accordance with the invention: C₁- to C₂₀-, in particular C₁- to C₁₂-alkyl groups, C₂- to C₂₀-, in particular C₂- to C₁₂-, alkenyl or alkynyl groups and saturated or unsaturated, i.e. also aromatic, C₃- to C₇-cycloalkyl groups, which may be substituted by C₁- to C₆-alkyl groups, in particular phenyl.

The four substituents R of the salts according to the invention may be identical or different.

Suitable in accordance with the invention as substituent R⁰ are: C₁- to C₂₀-, in particular C₁- to C₁₂-alkyl groups, C₂- to C₂₀-, in particular C₂- to C₁₂-, alkenyl or alkynyl groups and saturated or unsaturated, i.e. also aromatic, C₃- to C₇-cycloalkyl groups, which may be substituted by C₁- to C₆-alkyl groups, in particular phenyl.

The C₁-C₁₂-alkyl group is, for example, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, propyl, butyl, sec-butyl or tert-butyl, furthermore also pentyl, 1-, 2- or 3-methylbutyl, 1,1-, 1,2- or 2,2-dimethylpropyl, 1-ethylpropyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl or dodecyl. Optionally also partially or fully substituted by F, for example difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoroethyl, pentafluoroethyl, pentafluoropropyl, heptafluoropropyl, heptafluorobutyl, nonafluorobutyl or nonafluorohexyl.

Preferred alkyl groups as described above have 1 to 6 C atoms.

Unsubstituted saturated or partially or fully unsaturated cycloalkyl groups having 3-7 C atoms are therefore cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclopentenyl, cyclopenta-1,3-dienyl, cyclohexenyl, cyclohexa-1,3-dienyl, cyclohexa-1,4-dienyl, phenyl, cyctoheptenyl, cyclohepta-1,3-dienyl, cyclohepta-1,4-dienyl or cyclohepta-1,5-dienyl, which may be substituted by C₁- to C₆-alkyl groups, where the cycloalkyl group or the cycloalkyl group substituted by C₁- to C₆-alkyl groups may in turn also be substituted by halogen atoms, such as F, Cl, Br or I, in particular F or Cl, CN or NO₂.

The substituents R and R⁰ may be partially or fully substituted by halogen atoms, in particular by F and/or Cl, or partially by CN or NO₂, where halogenation of the α-CH₂ group of R² is excluded. Furthermore, the substituents R or R⁰ may contain one or two mutually non-adjacent hetero atoms or atom groups selected from the group —O—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —S—, —S(O)—, —SO₂—, —SO₂O—, —N═, —N═N—, —NH—, —NR′—, —PR′—, —P(O)R′—, —P(O)R′—O—, —O—P(O)R′—O—, —P(O)(NR′₂)—NR′— and —PR′₂═N—, where R′ can be an unfluorinated, partially or perfluorinated C₁- to C₆-alkyl, C₃- to C₇-cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted phenyl or an unsubstituted or substituted heterocycle.

In R′, C₃- to C₇-cycloalkyl is, for example, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl or cycloheptyl.

In R′, substituted phenyl denotes phenyl which is substituted by C₁- to C₆-alkyl, C₁- to C₆-alkenyl, NO₂, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, CN, SCN, SCF₃, SO₂CF₃, C(O)O—C₁-C₆-alkyl, NH₂, C₁-C₆-alkylamino or C₁-C₆-dialkylamino, COOH, C(O)NR″₂, SO₂OR″, SO₂X′, SO₂NR″₂, SO₃H or NHC(O)R″, where X′ denotes F, Cl or Br and R″ denotes an unfluorinated, partially or perfluorinated C₁- to C₆-alkyl or C₃- to C₇-cycloalkyl as defined for R′, for example, o-, m- or p-methylphenyl, o-, m- or p-ethylphenyl, o-, m- or p-propylphenyl, o-, m- or p-isopropylphenyl, o-, m- or p-tert-butylphenyl, o-, m- or p-aminophenyl, o-, m- or p-(N,N-dimethylamino)phenyl, o-, m- or p-nitrophenyl, o-, m- or p-hydroxyphenyl, o-, m- or p-methoxyphenyl, o-, m- or p-ethoxyphenyl, o-, m-, p-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl, o-, m-, p-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl, o-, m-, p-(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)phenyl, o-, m- or p-fluorophenyl, o-, m- or p-chlorophenyl, o-, m- or p-bromophenyl, o-, m- or p-iodophenyl, furthermore preferably 2,3-, 2,4-, 2,5-, 2,6-, 3,4- or 3,5-dimethylphenyl, 2,3-, 2,4-, 2,5-, 2,6-, 3,4- or 3,5-dihydroxyphenyl, 2,3-, 2,4-, 2,5-, 2,6-, 3,4- or 3,5-difluorophenyl, 2,3-, 2,4-, 2,5-, 2,6-, 3,4- or 3,5-dichlorophenyl, 2,3-, 2,4-, 2,5-, 2,6-, 3,4- or 3,5-dibromophenyl, 2,3-, 2,4-, 2,5-, 2,6-, 3,4- or 3,5-dimethoxyphenyl, 5-fluoro-2-methylphenyl, 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl or 2,4,5-trimethylphenyl.

In R′ heterocycle is taken to mean a saturated or unsaturated mono- or bicyclic heterocyclic radical having 5 to 13 ring members, where 1, 2 or 3 N and/or 1 or 2 S or O atoms may be present and the heterocyclic radical may be mono- or polysubstituted by C₁- to C₆-alkyl, C₁- to C₆-alkenyl, NO₂, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, CN, SCN, SCF₃, SO₂CF₃, C(O)O—C₁-C₆-alkyl, NH₂, C₁-C₆-alkylamino or C₁-C₆-dialkylamino, COOH, C(O)NR″₂, SO₂OR″, SO₂X′, SO₂NR″₂, SO₃H or NHC(O)R″, where X′ and R″ have a meaning indicated above.

The heterocyclic radical is preferably substituted or unsubstituted 2- or 3-furyl, 2- or 3-thienyl, 1-, 2- or 3-pyrrolyl, 1-, 2-, 4- or 5-imidazolyl, 3-, 4- or 5-pyrazolyl, 2-, 4- or 5-oxazolyl, 3-, 4- or 5-isoxazolyl, 2-, 4- or 5-thiazolyl, 3-, 4- or 5-isothiazolyl, 2-, 3- or 4-pyridyl, 2-, 4-, 5- or 6-pyrimidinyl, furthermore preferably 1,2,3-triazol-1-, -4- or -5-yl, 1,2,4-triazol-1-, -4- or -5-yl, 1- or 5-tetrazolyl, 1,2,3-oxadiazol-4- or -5-yl, 1,2,4-oxadiazol-3- or -5-yl, 1,3,4-thiadiazol-2- or -5-yl, 1,2,4-thiadiazol-3- or -5-yl, 1,2,3-thiadiazol-4- or -5-yl, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5- or 6-2H-thiopyranyl, 2-, 3- or 4-4H-thiopyranyl, 3- or 4-pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-benzofuryl, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-benzothienyl, 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-1H-indolyl, 1-, 2-, 4- or 5-benzimidazolyl, 1-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, or 7-benzopyrazolyl, 2-, 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-benzoxazolyl, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-benzisoxazolyl, 2-, 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-benzothiazolyl, 2-, 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-benzisothiazolyl, 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-benz-2,1,3-oxadiazolyl, 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-quinolinyl, 1-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-isoquinolinyl, 1-, 2-, 3-, 4- or 9-carbazolyl, 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8- or 9-acridinyl, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-cinnolinyl, 2-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-quinazolinyl or 1-, 2- or 3-pyrrolidinyl.

Without restricting generality, examples of substituents R and R⁰ of the thiouronium or uronium cation are:

-   -   —CH₃, —C₂H₅, —C₃H₇, —CH(CH₃)₂, —C₄H₉, —C(CH₃)₃, —C₅H₁₁, —C₆H₁₃,         —C₇H₁₅, —C₈H₁₇, —C₉H₁₉, —C₁₀H₂₁, —C₁₂H₂₅, —C₂₀H₄₁, —OCH₃,         —OCH(CH₃)₂, —CH₂OCH₃, —C₂H₄OCH(CH₃)₂, —C₂H₄SC₂H₅,         —C₂H₄SCH(CH₃)₂, —S(O)CH₃, —SO₂CH₃, —SO₂CH₃, —SO₂C₆H₅, —SO₂C₃H₇,         —SO₂CH(CH₃)₂, —SO₂CH₂CF₃, —CH₂SO₂CH₃, —CH₂N(H)C₂H₅,         —C₂H₄N(H)C₂H₅, —CH₂N(CH₃)CH₃, —CN, —C₂H₄N(CH₃)CH₃, —CF₃, —C₂F₅,         —C₃F₇, —C₄F₉, —C(CF₃)₃, —CF₂SO₂CF₃, —C₂F₄N(C₂F₅)C₂F₅, —CHF₂,         —CH₂CF₃, —C₂F₂H₃, —C₃FH₆, —CH₂C₃F₇, —C(CFH₂)₃, —CH₂C(O)OH,         —CH₂C₆H₅, —CH₂C(O)CH₃, —CH₂C(O)C₂H₅, —CH₂C(O)OCH₃, CH₂C(O)OC₂H₅,         —C(O)CH₃, —C(O)C₆H₅, —C(O)OCH₃, —C(O)OC₂H₅, P(O)(C₂H₅)₂,         P(O)[N(C₂H₅)₂]₂,

Up to four substituents R may also be connected in pairs in such a way that mono-, bi- or polycyclic cations are formed.

Without restricting generality, examples of such cations are:

where the substituents R and R⁰ can have a meaning indicated above or a particularly preferred meaning. The carbocycles or heterocycles of the cations indicated above may optionally also be substituted by C₁- to C₆-alkyl C₁- to C₆-alkenyl, NO₂, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, CN, SCN, SCF₃, SO₂CF₃, C(O)O—C₁-C₆-alkyl, NH₂, C₁-C₆-akylamino or C₁-C₆-dialkylamino, COOH, C(O)NR″₂, SO₂OR″, SO₂NR″₂, SO₂X′, SO₃H or NHC(O)R″ or substituted or unsubstituted phenyl or an unsubstituted or substituted heterocycle, where X′ and R″ have a meaning indicated above.

The anion A⁻ of the salts according to the invention is selected from

-   -   [R¹SO₃]⁻, [R^(F′)SO₃]⁻, [(R^(F)SO₂)₂N]⁻, [(R^(F)SO₂)₃C]⁻,         [(FSO₂)₃C]⁻, [R¹CH₂OSO₃]⁻, [R¹C(O)O]⁻, [R^(F′)C(O)O]⁻,         [CCl₃C(O)O]⁻, [(CN)₃C]⁻, [(CN)₂CR¹]⁻, [(R¹O(O)C)₂CR¹]⁻,         [P(C_(n)F_(2n+1−m)H_(m))_(y)F_(6−y)]⁻, [P(C₆F₅)_(y)F_(6−y)]⁻,         [R¹ ₂P(O)O]⁻, [R¹P(O)O₂]²⁻, [(R¹O)₂P(O)O]⁻, [(R¹O)P(O)O₂]²⁻,         [(R¹O)(R¹)P(O)O]⁻, [R^(F) ₂P(O)O]⁻, [R^(F)P(O)O)₂]²⁻,         [BF_(z)R^(F) _(4−z)]⁻, [BF_(z)(CN)_(4−z)]⁻, [B(CN)₄]⁻,         [B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻, [B(OR¹)₄]⁻, [N(CF₃)₂]⁻, [N(CN)₂]⁻, [AlCl₄]⁻or         [SiF₆]²⁻,     -   where the substituents R^(F) and R^(F′) each, independently of         one another, the meaning of     -   perfluorinated and straight-chain or branched alkyl having 1-20         C atoms, where the trifluoromethyl group is excluded for R^(F′),     -   perfluorinated and straight-chain or branched alkenyl having         2-20 C atoms and one or more double bonds,     -   perfluorinated phenyl and saturated, partially or fully         unsaturated cycloalkyl having 3-7 C atoms, which may be         substituted by perfluoroalkyl groups,     -   where the substituents R^(F) or R^(F′) may be connected to one         another in pairs by a single or double bond and     -   where one carbon atom or two non-adjacent carbon atoms of the         substituent R^(F) or R^(F′) which are not in the α-position to         the hetero atom may be replaced by atoms and/or atom groups         selected from the group —O—, —C(O)—, —S—, —S(O)—, —SO₂—, —N═,         —N═N—, —NR′—, —PR′— and —P(O)R′— or may have an end group         R′—O—SO₂— or R′—O—C(O)—, where R′ denotes unfluorinated,         partially or perfluorinated alkyl having 1-6 C atoms, saturated         or partially unsaturated cycloalkyl having 3-7 C atoms,         unsubstituted or substituted phenyl or an unsubstituted or         substituted heterocycle         and     -   where the substituents R¹ each, independently of one another,         the meaning of     -   hydrogen in the case where A⁻=[(CN)₂CR¹]⁻or [(R¹O(O)C)₂CR¹]⁻ and         X=O or S, or     -   hydrogen in the case where A⁻=[R¹CH₂OSO₃]⁻, X=S or O and the         substituents R and R⁰=alkyl groups having 1 to 20 C atoms,     -   straight-chain or branched alkyl having 1-20 C atoms,     -   straight-chain or branched alkenyl having 2-20 C atoms and one         or more double bonds,     -   straight-chain or branched alkynyl having 2-20 C atoms and one         or more triple bonds     -   saturated, partially or fully unsaturated cycloalkyl having 3-7         C atoms, which may be substituted by alkyl groups having 1-6 C         atoms,     -   where the substituents R¹ may be partially substituted by CN,         NO₂ or halogen and     -   halogen denotes F, Cl, Br or I,     -   where the substituents R¹ may be connected to one another in         pairs by a single or double bond and     -   where one carbon atom or two non-adjacent carbon atoms of the         substituent R¹ which are not in the α-position to the hetero         atom may be replaced by atoms and/or atom groups selected from         the group —O—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —S—, —S(O)—, —SO₂—, —SO₃—, —N═,         —N═N—, —NH—, —NR′—, —PR′— and —P(O)R′—, (P(O)R′O—, OP(O)R′O—,         —PR′₂═N—, —C(O)NH—, —C(O)NR′—, —SO₂NH— or —SO₂NR′—, where R′         denotes unfluorinated, partially or perfluorinated alkyl having         1-6 C atoms, saturated or partially unsaturated cycloalkyl         having 3-7 C atoms, unsubstituted or substituted phenyl or an         unsubstituted or substituted heterocycle         and the variables     -   n denotes 1 to 20,     -   m denotes 0, 1, 2 or 3,     -   y denotes 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4,     -   z denotes 0, 1, 2 or 3,         with the proviso that     -   for X=S and R and R⁰=alkyl groups having 1 to 20 C atoms, the         anions A⁻=[BF₄]⁻, CF₃COO⁻, [B(C₆H₅)₄]⁻ or [CH₃C₆H₄SO₃]⁻ are to         be allowed         and     -   for X=O, the anions A⁻CF₃COO⁻ and [B(C₆H₅)₄]⁻ are to be allowed         and for X=O and R⁰=ethyl, the anion A⁻=CH₃CH₂OSO₃ ⁻ is to be         excluded.

A straight-chain or branched alkenyl having 2 to 20 C atoms, where a plurality of double bonds may also be present, is, for example, allyl, 2- or 3-butenyl, isobutenyl, sec-butenyl, furthermore 4-pentenyl, isopentenyl, hexenyl, heptenyl, octenyl, —C₉H₁₇, —C₁₀H₁₉ to —C₂₀H₃₉; preferably allyl, 2- or 3-butenyl, isobutenyl, sec-butenyl, preference is furthermore given to 4-pentenyl, isopentenyl or hexenyl.

A straight-chain or branched alkynyl having 2 to 20 C atoms, where a plurality of triple bonds may also be present, is, for example, ethynyl, 1- or 2-propynyl, 2- or 3-butynyl, furthermore 4-pentynyl, 3-pentynyl, hexynyl, heptynyl, octynyl, —C₉H₁₅, —C₁₀H₁₇ to —C₂₀H₃₇, preferably ethynyl, 1- or 2-propynyl, 2- or 3-butynyl, 4-pentynyl, 3-pentynyl or hexynyl.

In the case where a plurality of R^(F) or R^(F′) are present in an anion, these may also be connected in pairs by single or double bonds in such a way that bi- or polycyclic anions are formed.

Furthermore, the substituents R^(F) or R^(F′) may contain one or two mutually non-adjacent atoms or atom groups which are not in the α-position to the hetero atom selected from the group —O—, —SO₂— and —NR′— or the end group —SO₂X′, where R′ can be=unfluorinated, partially or perfluorinated C₁- to C₆-alkyl, C₃- to C₇-cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted phenyl, including —C₆F₅, or an unsubstituted or substituted heterocycle and X′=F, Cl or Br.

Without restricting generality, examples of substituents R^(F) and R^(F′) of the anion are:

-   -   —CF₃, —C₂F₅, —C₃F₇, —C₄F₉, —C(CF₃)₃, —CF₂N(CF₃)CF₃, —CF₂OCF₃,         —CF₂S(O)CF₃, —CF₂SO₂CF₃, —C₂F₄N(C₂F₅)C₂F₅, CF═CF₂,         —C(CF₃)═CFCF₃, —CF₂CF═CFCF₃, —CF═CFN(CF₃)CF₃ or —CF₂SO₂F,         —C(CF₃)═CFCF₃, —CF₂CF═CFCF₃ or —CF═CFN(CF₃)CF₃.

R^(F′) is preferably pentafluoroethyl, heptafluoropropyl or nonafluorobutyl. R^(F) is preferably trifluoromethyl, pentafluoroethyl, heptafluoropropyl or nonafluorobutyl.

With the restriction of the disclaimer in Claim 1, some examples of anions according to the invention are indicated below:

-   -   —[CF₃SO₃]⁻, [CF₃CF₂SO₃]⁻, [CH₃CH₂SO₃]⁻, [CF₃SO₂)₂N]⁻,         [(C₂F₅SO₂)₂N]⁻, [(CF₃SO₂)₃C]⁻, [(C₂F₅SO₂)₃C]⁻, [CH₃CH₂OSO₃]⁻,         [(FSO₂)₃C]⁻, [CF₃C(O)O]⁻, [CF₃CF₂C(O)O]⁻, [CH₃CH₂C(O)O]⁻,         [CH₃C(O)O]⁻, [P(C₂F₅)₃F₃]⁻, [P(CF₃)₃F₃]⁻, [P(C₂F₄H)(CF₃)₂F₃]⁻,         [P(C₂F₃H₂)₃F₃]⁻, [P(C₂F₅)(CF₃)₂F₃]⁻, [P(C₆F₅)₃F₃]⁻,         [P(C₃F₇)₃F₃]⁻, [P(C₄F₉)₃F₃]⁻, [P(C₂F₅)₂F₄]⁻, [(C₂F₅)₂P(O)O]⁻,         [(C₂F₅)P(O)O₂]²⁻, [P(C₆F₅)₂F₄]⁻, [(CF₃)₂P(O)O]⁻, [(CH₃)₂P(O)O]⁻,         [(C₄F₉)₂P(O)O]⁻, [CF₃P(O)O₂]²⁻, [CH₃P(O)O₂]²⁻, [(CH₃O)₂P(O)O]⁻,         [BF₃(CF₃)]⁻, [BF₂(C₂F₅)₂]⁻, [BF₃(C₂F₅)]⁻, [BF₂(CF₃)₂]⁻,         [B(C₂F₅)₄]⁻, [BF₃(CN)]⁻, [BF₂CN)₂]⁻, [B(CN)₄]⁻, [B(CF₃)₄]⁻,         [BF₄]⁻, [B(OCH₃)₄]⁻, [B(OCH₃)₂(OC₂H₅)]⁻, [B(O₂C₂H₄)₂]⁻,         [B(O₂C₂H₂)₂]⁻, [B(O₂CH₄)₂]⁻, [N(CF₃)₂]⁻, [N(CN₂)₂]⁻, [C(CN)₃]⁻,         [AlCl₄]⁻ or [SiF₆]²⁻.

Particularly preferred anions from this group taking into account the disclaimers are [R^(F)SO₃]⁻, [P(C_(n)F_(2n+1−m)H_(m))_(y)F_(6−y)]⁻, [R^(F) ₂P(O)O]⁻, [BF_(z)R^(F) _(4−z)]⁻ or [BF_(z)(CN)_(4−n)]⁻, where n, m, y and z have one of the above-mentioned meanings, for example [B(CN)₄]⁻, [(C₂F₅)₃PF₃]⁻, [(C₂F₅)₂PF₄]⁻, [C₄F₉)₃PF₃]⁻, [(C₃F₇)₃PF₃]⁻, [B(C₂F₅)F₃]⁻, [(CF₃)₂P(O)O]⁻, [(C₂F₅)₂P(O)O]⁻ or [B(CF₃)₄]⁻. Very particularly preferred anions from this group taking into account the disclaimers are [BF₄]⁻, [(C₂F₅)₃PF₃]⁻, [(C₂F₅)₂P(O)O]⁻ or [CF₃SO₃]⁻.

Of the particularly preferred anions, the phosphates of the formula [P(C_(n)F_(2n+1−m)H_(m))_(y)F_(6−y)]⁻ have a particular meaning since the choice of this anion results in salts of the formula (1) of particularly low viscosity.

Preference is given in accordance with the invention to a group of salts of the formula (1) in which the substituents R of the cation denote hydrogen or a straight-chain or branched alkyl group having 1-12 C atoms, in particular having 1-6 C atoms, and A⁻ has a meaning indicated for the formula (1) or a meaning indicated as preferred or particularly preferred.

Preference is given in accordance with the invention to a group of salts of the formula (1) in which the substituents R of the cation are selected from the group methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, tert-butyl, sec-butyl, phenyl and cyclohexyl, and A⁻ has a meaning indicated for the formula (1) or a meaning indicated as preferred or particularly preferred.

Preference is given in accordance with the invention to a group of salts of the formula (1) in which X denotes sulfur and A⁻ has a meaning indicated for the formula (1) or a meaning indicated as preferred or particularly preferred.

Preference is given in accordance with the invention to a group of salts of the formula (1) in which X denotes oxygen and A⁻ has a meaning indicated for the formula (1) or a meaning indicated as preferred or particularly preferred.

Preference is given in accordance with the invention to a group of salts of the formula (1) in which R⁰ denotes a straight-chain or branched alkyl group having 1-20 C atoms, which may be partially or fully fluorinated, but where fluorination of the α-CH₂ group of R⁰ is excluded, and X denotes sulfur or in which R⁰ denotes a straight-chain or branched alkyl group having 1-20 C atoms and X denotes oxygen, and A⁻ has a meaning indicated for the formula (1) or a meaning indicated as preferred or particularly preferred.

Preference is given in accordance with the invention to a group of salts of the formula (1) in which R⁰ denotes a straight-chain or branched alkyl group having 1-20 C atoms, which may be partially or fully fluorinated, X═S, and the substituents R each, independently of one another, denote a straight-chain or branched alkyl group having 1-20 C atoms, and A⁻ has a meaning indicated for the formula (1) or a meaning indicated as preferred or particularly preferred.

Preference is given in accordance with the invention to a group of salts of the formula (1) in which R⁰ denotes a straight-chain or branched alkyl group having 1-20 C atoms, X═O, and the substituents R each, independently of one another, denote a straight-chain or branched alkyl group having 1-20 C atoms, and A⁻ has a meaning indicated for the formula (1) or a meaning indicated as preferred or particularly preferred.

The present invention secondly relates to a process for the preparation of the salts having thiouronium or uronium cations of the general formula (1) according to the invention. To this end, a thiourea C(S)(NR₂)₂ or a urea C(O)(NR₂)₂ is alkylated using an ester AR⁰ or using an oxonium salt (R⁰)₃O⁺ A⁻.

The groups and substituents R⁰ and R here are defined like those of the general formula (1) or have a meaning indicated especially. A, in the case of the reaction with the ester, can be selected from the group [R¹CH₂OSO₃], [R¹SO₃], [R^(F)SO₃], [R^(F)C(O)O] and [CCl₃C(O)O], and A⁻, in the case of the reaction with the oxonium salt, can be selected from the group [(FSO₂)₃C]⁻ and [BF₄]⁻.

The reaction is preferably carried out at a temperature at which at least one of the components is liquid. The reaction is particularly preferably carried out in a temperature range in which the reaction mixture is liquid.

The reaction of the thiourea or urea with an ester or an oxonium salt can be carried out in polar organic solvents, for example 1,2-dichloroethane or dichloromethane, in nonpolar organic solvents, for example hexane or pentane, or without solvents, for example in the salt melt. In accordance with the invention, solvent mixtures can also be used instead of pure solvents.

In accordance with the invention, the reagents can be reacted with a mixing ratio of up to a five-fold excess of one of the reactants. However, the reactants are preferably employed in equimolar amount.

The salts according to the invention can be isolated with very good yields, generally above 80%, preferably above 90%.

The present invention furthermore relates to an alternative process for the preparation of a salt according to the invention by means of salt exchange. In this, a salt having a thiouronium or uronium cation of the general formula (1) and an anion A⁻ selected from the group [BF₄]—, Br⁻, Cl⁻, I⁻ or [ClO₄]⁻ is reacted with a salt Kt⁺ A⁻ or with an acid AH, where Kt is an alkali or alkaline earth metal and A is defined in accordance with the general formula (1).

The reaction is preferably carried out at a temperature at which at least one of the components is liquid. The reaction is particularly preferably carried out in a temperature range in which the reaction mixture is liquid.

The salt exchange of the thiouronium or uronium salt can be carried out in polar solvents, for example water, acetonitrile, dimethoxyethane, dimethylformamide, methanol or propionitrile, in nonpolar organic solvents, for example dichloromethane, or without solvents, for example in the salt melt. In accordance with the invention, solvent mixtures can also be used instead of pure solvents.

In accordance with the invention, the reagents can be reacted with a mixing ratio of up to 10% excess of one of the reactants. However, the reactants are preferably employed in equimolar amount.

The salts of the formula (1) according to the invention in which the anion A⁻=[R^(F) ₂P(O)O]⁻ can alternatively be prepared by the reaction of a tris(perfluoroalkyl)phosphine oxide with an alcohol and a thiourea C(S)(NR₂)₂ or a urea C(O)(NR₂)₂, where the radicals R are as defined above and are more strongly basic than the alcohol.

The suitable alcohol is selected so that the desired cation is formed after the alkylation of the base used.

The tris(perfluoroalkyl)phosphine oxides used can be prepared by conventional methods known to the person skilled in the art. These compounds are preferably prepared by reaction with hexamethyldisiloxane (V. Ya Sememii et al, J. Gen. Chem. USSR (Engl. Trans.) 55, No. 12 (1985), 2415-2417).

All compounds according to the invention have a salt-like character, relatively low melting points (usually below 100° C.) and can be used as ionic liquids.

The salts according to the invention can be employed as solvents for many synthetic or catalytic reactions, for example Friedel-Crafts acylation and alkylation, Diels-Alder cycloadditions, hydrogenation and oxidation reactions, Heck reactions. Furthermore, it is possible to synthesise, for example, fluorinated solvents for secondary and primary batteries.

It is also possible to use the compounds according to the invention as non-aqueous electrolyte, if desired in combination with other electrolytes known to the person skilled in the art.

In addition, the salts according to the invention can be used as non-aqueous polar substances in suitable reactions as phase-transfer catalyst, as surfactant (surface-active agent) or as medium for the heterogenisation of homogeneous catalysts.

The complete disclosure content of all applications, patents and publications mentioned above and below is incorporated into this application by way of reference.

Even without further comments, it is assumed that a person skilled in the art will be able to utilise the above description in the broadest scope. The preferred embodiments and examples should therefore merely be regarded as descriptive disclosure which is absolutely not limiting in any way.

The NMR spectra were measured on solutions in deuterated solvents at 20° C. on a Bruker Avance DRX spectrometer with a 5 mm ¹H/BB broadband head with deuterium lock. The measurement frequencies of the various nuclei are: ¹H: 300.13 MHz, ¹¹B: 96.92 MHz, ¹⁹F: 282.41 MHz and ³¹P; 121.49 MHz. The referencing method is indicated separately for each spectrum or each data set.

EXAMPLE 1 N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-S-ethylisothiouronium triflate

15.0 g (113.4 mmol) of N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylthiourea are dissolved in 50 cm³ of dichloromethane, and 20.6 g (115.6 mmol) of ethyl triflate, CF₃SO₂OC₂H₅, are added slowly (dropwise) over the course of 30 min with cooling using an ice bath while the reaction mixture is stirred vigorously using a magnetic stirrer. The reaction mixture is stirred at room temperature for a further 10 min. The solvent is removed under reduced pressure. The residue is washed three times with 30 cm³ of pentane and dried for one hour at 40-50° C. under a vacuum of 7.0 Pa, giving 35.0 g of a crystalline material which melts easily. The yield of N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-N″-ethylisothiouronium triflate is 99.5%, based on N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylthiourea.

¹⁹F NMR (reference: CCl₃F—internal standard; solvent: CD₃CN): −77.84 s (CF₃).

¹H NMR (reference: TMS; solvent: CD₃CN): 1.30 t (CH₃); 3.02 q (CH₂); 3.25 s (4CH₃); ³J_(H,H)=7.4 Hz.

Elemental Analysis

Found, %: C 30.82 H 5.49 N 9.07 Calculated for C₈H₁₇F₃N₂O₃S₂, %: C 30.96 H 5.52 N 9.03

EXAMPLE 2 N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-S-ethylisothiouronium tris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphate

17.1 g (55.1 mmol) of N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-S-ethylisothiouronium triflate are dissolved in 70 cm³ of water, and 31.0 g (57.8 mmol) of tris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphoric acid pentahydrate are added at room temperature while the reaction mixture is stirred vigorously using a magnetic stirrer. The lower liquid phase is separated and washed four times with 30 cm³ of water. The residue is dried for three hours at 60° C. in an oil bath under a vacuum of 7.0 Pa, giving 30.0 g of a liquid material. The yield of N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-S-ethylisothiouronium tris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphate is 89.8%, based on N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-S-ethylisothiouronium triflate.

¹⁹F NMR (reference: CCl₃F—internal standard; solvent: CD₃CN): −43.56 dm (PF); −79.58 m (CF₃); −81.27 m (2CF₃); −86.92 dm (PF₂); −114.93 m (CF₂); −115.52 m (2CF₂); ¹J_(P,F)=890 Hz; ¹J_(P,F)=904 Hz; ²J_(P,F)=86 Hz; ²J_(P,F)=97 Hz.

¹H NMR (reference: TMS; solvent: CD₃CN): 1.34 t (CH₃); 3.03 q (CH₂); 3.25 s (4CH₃); ³J_(H,H)=7.4 Hz.

³¹P NMR (reference: 85% H₃PO₄; solvent: CD₃CN): −148.55 dtm; ¹J_(P,F)=890 Hz; ¹J_(P,F)=902 Hz.

Elemental Analysis

Found, %: C 25.63 H 2.87 N 4.59 Calculated for C₁₃H₁₇F₁₈N₂PS, %: C 25.75 H 2.83 N 4.62

EXAMPLE 3 N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-S-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)isothiouronium triflate

1.0 g (7.56 mmol) of N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylthiourea are dissolved in 20 cm³ of hexane, and 1.84 g (7.93 mmol) of 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl triflate, CF₃SO₂OCH₂CF₃, are added slowly (dropwise) at room temperature while the reaction mixture is stirred vigorously using a magnetic stirrer. The reaction mixture is stirred at room temperature for a further 6 hours. The lower phase is separated from the hexane and washed twice with 10 cm³ of hexane. The residue is dried for two hours at 50° C. under a vacuum of 1.3 Pa, giving 2.74 g of an oily material (m.p. 69-70° C.). The yield of N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-S-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)isothiouronium triflate is 99.4%, based on N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylthiourea.

¹⁹F NMR (reference: CCl₃F—internal standard; solvent: CD₃CN): −65.98 t (CF₃); −77.92 t (CF₃); ³J_(H,F)=9.6 Hz.

¹H NMR (reference: TMS; solvent: CD₃CN): 3.30 s (4CH₃); 3.75 q (CH₂); ³J_(H,F)=9.6 Hz.

EXAMPLE 4 N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-S-ethylisothiouronium tetrafluoroborate

70 cm³ of a 1M solution of triethyloxonium tetrafluoroborate (69.6 mmol) in dichloromethane are added to 4.6 g (34.8 mmol) of N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylthiourea while the reaction mixture is stirred vigorously using a magnetic stirrer and with ice-bath cooling. The reaction mixture is stirred at room temperature for 6 hours, and all volatile components are removed under reduced pressure. The residue is washed three times with 40 cm³ of hot (60° C.) hexane and dried for one hour at room temperature under a vacuum of 1.3 Pa, giving 6.8 g of a solid material. The yield of N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-S-ethylisothiouronium tetrafluoroborate is 78.8%, based on N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylthiourea.

¹⁹F NMR (reference: CCl₃F—internal standard; solvent: CD₃CN): −150.34 s; 150.40 s (BF₄ ⁻).

¹H NMR (reference: TMS; solvent: CD₃CN): 1.29 t (CH₃); 2.99 q (CH₂); 3.22 s (4CH₃); ³J_(H,H)=7.4 Hz.

EXAMPLE 5 N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-O-methylisouronium triflate

30.0 g (258.3 mmol) of N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylurea are dissolved in 150 cm³ of pentane, and 43.2 g (263.3 mmol) of methyl triflate, CF₃SO₂OCH₃, are added slowly (dropwise) over the course of 30 minutes while the reaction mixture is cooled using an ice bath and stirred vigorously using a magnetic stirrer. The reaction mixture is stirred at room temperature for a further 10 min. The lower liquid phase is separated and washed twice with 50 cm³ of pentane. The residue is dried for one hour at 60° C. under a vacuum of 7.0 Pa, giving 71.0 g of a liquid material. The yield of N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-O-methylisouronium triflate is 98.1%, based on N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylurea.

¹⁹F NMR (reference: CCl₃F—internal standard; solvent: CD₃CN): −77.88 s (CF₃).

¹H NMR (reference: TMS; solvent: CD₃CN): 3.05 s (4CH₃); 4.04 s (CH₃).

EXAMPLE 6 N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-O-methylisouronium tris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphate

31.5 g (112.4 mmol) of N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-O-methylisouronium triflate are dissolved in 300 cm³ of water, and 63.3 g (118.7 mmol) of tris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphoric acid pentahydrate are added at room temperature while the reaction mixture is stirred vigorously using a magnetic stirrer. The precipitate is filtered off and washed three times with 30 cm³ of water. The residue is dried for three hours at 50-60° C. in an oil bath under a vacuum of 7.0 Pa, giving 62.7 g of a solid white material (m.p. 69-70° C.). The yield of N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-O-methylisouronium tris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphate is 96.8%, based on N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-O-methylisouronium triflate.

¹⁹F NMR (reference: CCl₃F—internal standard; solvent: CD₃CN): −43.51 dm (PF); −79.54 m (CF₃); −81.23 m (2CF₃); −86.90 dm (PF₂); −114.90 m (CF₂); −115.48 m (2CF₂); ¹J_(P,F)=889 Hz; ¹J_(P,F)=901 Hz; ²J_(P,F)=86 Hz; ²J_(P,F)=98 Hz.

¹H NMR (reference: TMS; solvent: CD₃CN): 3.05 s (4CH₃); 4.04 s (CH₃).

³¹P NMR (reference: 85% H₃PO₄; solvent: CD₃CN): −148.57 dtm; ¹J_(P,F)=890 Hz; ¹J_(P,F)=902 Hz.

Elemental Analysis

Found, %: C 24.94 H 2.64 N 4.89 Calculated for C₁₂H₁₅F₁₈N₂OP, %: C 25.01 H 2.62 N 4.86

EXAMPLE 7 N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-O-ethylisouronium triflate

15.0 g (129.1 mmol) of N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylurea are dissolved in 70 cm³ of pentane, and 23.5 g (131.9 mmol) of ethyl triflate, CF₃SO₂OC₂H₅, are added slowly (dropwise) over the course of 30 minutes while the reaction mixture is cooled using an ice bath and stirred vigorously using a magnetic stirrer. The reaction mixture is stirred at room temperature for a further 10 min. The lower liquid phase is separated and washed three times with 30 cm³ of pentane. The residue is dried for one hour at 50° C. under a vacuum of 7.0 Pa, giving 37.9 g of a liquid material). The yield of N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-O-ethylisouronium triflate is 99.8%, based on N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylurea.

¹⁹F NMR (reference: CCl₃F—internal standard; solvent: CD₃CN): −77.86 s (CF₃).

¹H NMR (reference: TMS; solvent: CD₃CN): 1.40 t (CH₃); 3.05 s (4CH₃); 4.38 q (CH₂); ³J_(H,H)=7.1 Hz.

EXAMPLE 8 N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-O-ethylisouronium tris(pentafluoroethyl)-trifluorophosphate

18.8 g (63.9 mmol) of N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-O-ethylisouronium triflate are dissolved in 70 cm³ of water, and 36.0 g (67.2 mmol) of tris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphoric acid pentahydrate are added at room temperature while the reaction mixture is stirred vigorously using a magnetic stirrer. The precipitate is filtered off and washed four times with 30 cm³ of water. The residue is dried for three hours at 60° C. in an oil bath under a vacuum of 7.0 Pa, giving 36.7 g of a solid white material (m.p. 32-34° C.). The yield of N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-O-ethylisouronium tris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphate is 97.3%, based on N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-O-ethylisouronium triflate.

¹⁹F NMR (reference; CCl₃F—internal standard; solvent: CD₃CN): −43.50 dm (PF); −79.52 m (CF₃); −81.21 m (2CF₃); −86.88 dm (PF₂); −114.90 m (CF₂); −115.48 m (2CF₂); ¹J_(P,F)=889 Hz; 1J_(P,F)=900 Hz; ²J_(P,F)=84 Hz; ²J_(P,F)=98 Hz.

¹H NMR (reference: TMS; solvent: CD₃CN): 1.42 t (CH₃); 3.05 s (4CH₃); 4.37 q (CH₂); ³J_(H,H)=7.0 Hz.

³¹P NMR (reference: 85% H₃PO₄; solvent: CD₃CN): −148.60 dtm; ¹J_(P,F)=888 Hz; ¹J_(P,F)=902 Hz.

Elemental Analysis

Found, %: C 26.50 H 2.95 N 4.78 Calculated for C₁₃H₁₇F₁₈N₂OP, %: C 26.45 H 2.90 N 4.75

EXAMPLE 9 2-methyl-1,1,3,3-tetramethylisouronium bis(pentafluoroethyl)phosphinate

6.72 g (16.6 mmol) of tris(pentafluoroethyl)phosphine oxide, (C₂F₅)₃P═O, are mixed with 15 cm³ of dimethoxyethane and 1.93 g (16.6 mmol) of tetramethylurea in a 25 ml flask fitted with a reflux condenser. 0.532 g (16.6 mmol) of methanol are added to this mixture while the reaction mixture is stirred using a magnetic stirrer. The reaction mixture is boiled for 5 hours, and all volatile products are removed at 50° C. under a high vacuum (1.4 Pa), giving 6.59 g of a viscous liquid. The yield of 2-methyl-1,1,3,3-tetramethylisouronium bis(pentafluoroethyl)phosphinate is 91.9%.

¹⁹F NMR (reference; CCl₃F—internal standard; solvent; CD₃CN): −80.21 m (2CF₃); −124.91 dm (2CF₂); ²J_(P,F)=67 Hz.

¹H NMR (reference: TMS; solvent: CD₃CN): 3.05 s (4CH₃); 4.05 s (OCH₃).

³¹P NMR (reference: 85% H₃PO₄; solvent: CD₃CN): −2.12 quin.; ²J_(P,F)=67 Hz. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A uronium salt of formula (1)

in which X denotes O, R and R⁰ each, independently of one another, have the meaning of straight-chain or branched alkyl having 1-20 C atoms, straight-chain or branched alkenyl having 2-20 C atoms and one or more double bonds, straight-chain or branched alkynyl having 2-20 C atoms and one or more triple bonds saturated, partially or fully unsaturated cycloalkyl having 3-7 C atoms, which are optionally substituted by one or more alkyl groups having 1-6 C atoms, and R may also denote hydrogen, where one or more R or R⁰ are optionally partially or fully substituted by halogen or partially by CN or NO₂, but where halogenation in the α-position in R⁰ is excluded, and halogen denotes F, Cl, Br or I, where R and R⁰ may be connected to one another in pairs by a single or double bond and where one carbon atom or two non-adjacent carbon atoms of one or more R or R⁰ which are not directly adjacent to the hetero atom may be replaced by atoms and/or atom groups selected from the group consisting of —O—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —S—, —S(O)—, —SO₂—, —SO₃—, —N═, —N═N—, —NH—, —NR′—, —PR′—, —P(O)R′—, —P(O)R′—O—, —O—P(O)R′—O—, and —P(R′)₂═N—, where R′ is unfluorinated, partially or perfluorinated alkyl having 1-6 C atoms, saturated or partially unsaturated cycloalkyl having 3-7 C atoms, unsubstituted or substituted phenyl or an unsubstituted or substituted heterocycle, A⁻ is selected from the group consisting of: [R¹SO₃]⁻, [R^(F′)SO₃]⁻, [(R^(F)SO₂)₂N]⁻, [(R^(F)SO₂)₃C]⁻, [(FSO₂)₃C]⁻, [R¹CH₂OSO₃]⁻, [R¹C(O)O]⁻, [R^(F′)C(O)O]⁻, [CCl₃C(O)O]⁻, [(CN)₃C]⁻, [(CN)₂CR¹]⁻, [(R¹O(O)C)₂CR¹]⁻, [P(C_(n)F_(2n+1−m)H_(m))_(y)F_(6−y)]⁻, [P(C₆F₅)_(y)F_(6−y)]⁻, [R¹ ₂P(O)O]⁻, [R¹P(O)O₂]O²⁻, [(R¹O)₂P(O)O]⁻, [(R¹O)P(O)O₂]²⁻, [(R¹O)(R¹)P(O)O]⁻, [R^(F) ₂P(O)O]⁻, [R^(F)P(O)O₂]²⁻, [BF_(z)R^(F) _(4−z)]⁻, [BF_(z)(CN)_(4−z)]⁻, [B(CN)₄]⁻, [B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻, [B(OR¹)₄]⁻, [N(CF₃)₂]⁻, [N(CN)₂]⁻, [AlCl₄]⁻ and [SiF₆]²⁻, where R^(F) and R^(F′) each, independently of one another, the meaning of perfluorinated and straight-chain or branched alkyl having 1-20 C atoms, where the trifluoromethyl group is excluded for R^(F′), perfluorinated and straight-chain or branched alkenyl having 2-20 C atoms and one or more double bonds, perfluorinated phenyl and saturated, partially or fully unsaturated cycloalkyl having 3-7 C atoms, which is optionally substituted by perfluoroalkyl groups, where the R^(F) or R^(F′) are optionally connected to one another in pairs by a single or double bond and where one carbon atom or two non-adjacent carbon atoms of R^(F) or R^(F′) which are not in the α-position to the hetero atom are optionally replaced by atoms and/or atom groups selected from the group consisting of —O—, —C(O)—, —S—, —S(O)—, —SO₂—, —N═, —N═N—, —NR′—, —PR′— and —P(O)R′— or optionally have an end group R′—O—SO₂— or R′—O—C(O)—, where R′ denotes unfluorinated, partially or perfluorinated alkyl having 1-6 C atoms, saturated or partially unsaturated cycloalkyl having 3-7 C atoms, unsubstituted or substituted phenyl or an unsubstituted or substituted heterocycle and where R¹ each, independently of one another, have the meaning of hydrogen in the case where A⁻=[(CN)₂CR¹]⁻ or [(R¹O(O)C)₂CR¹]⁻, or hydrogen in the case where A⁻=[R¹CH₂OSO₃]⁻, and R and R⁰=alkyl groups having 1 to 20 C atoms, straight-chain or branched alkyl having 1-20 C atoms, straight-chain or branched alkenyl having 2-20 C atoms and one or more double bonds, straight-chain or branched alkynyl having 2-20 C atoms and one or more triple bonds, saturated, partially or fully unsaturated cycloalkyl having 3-7 C atoms, which is optionally substituted by alkyl groups having 1-6 C atoms, where R¹ is optionally partially substituted by CN, NO₂ or halogen and halogen denotes F, Cl, Br or I, where R¹ is optionally connected to one another in pairs by a single or double bond and where one carbon atom or two non-adjacent carbon atoms of R¹ which are not in the α-position to the hetero atom are optionally replaced by atoms and/or atom groups selected from the group consisting of —O—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —S—, —S(O)—, —SO₂—, —SO₃—, —N═, —N═N—, —NH—, —NR′—, —PR′— and —P(O)R′—, (P(O)R′O—, OP(O)R′O—, —PR′₂═N—, —C(O)NH—, —C(O)NR′—, —SO₂NH— and —SO₂NR′—, where R′ denotes unfluorinated, partially or perfluorinated alkyl having 1-6 C atoms, saturated or partially unsaturated cycloalkyl having 3-7 C atoms, unsubstituted or substituted phenyl or an unsubstituted or substituted heterocycle and n denotes 1 to 20, m denotes 0, 1, 2 or 3, y denotes 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4, and z denotes 0, 1, 2 or 3, with the proviso that the anions A⁻=CF₃COO⁻ and [B(C₆H₅)₄]⁻ are to be allowed and R⁰=ethyl, the anion A⁻=CH₃CH₂OSO₃ ⁻ is to be excluded.
 2. A salt according to claim 1, wherein R is hydrogen and/or a straight-chain or branched alkyl having 1 to 12 C atoms.
 3. A salt according to claim 1, wherein R is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, tert-butyl, sec-butyl, phenyl and cyclohexyl.
 4. A salt according to claim 1, wherein R⁰ denotes a straight-chain or branched alkyl having 1 to 12 C atoms.
 5. A salt according to claim 1, wherein the anion is selected from the group consisting of [CF₃SO₃]⁻, [CF₃CF₂SO₃]⁻, [CH₃CH₂SO₃]⁻, [CF₃SO₂)₂N]⁻, [(C₂F₅SO₂)₂N]⁻, [(CF₃SO₂)₃C]⁻, [(C₂F₅SO₂)₃C]⁻, [CH₃CH₂OSO₃]⁻, [(FSO₂)₃C]⁻, [CF₃C(O)O]⁻, [CF₃CF₂C(O)O]⁻, [CH₃CH₂C(O)O]⁻, [CH₃C(O)O]⁻, [P(C₂F₅)₃F₃]⁻, [P(CF₃)₃F₃]⁻, [P(C₂F₄H)(CF₃)₂F₃]⁻, [P(C₂F₃H₂)₃F₃]⁻, [P(C₂F₅)(CF₃)₂F₃]⁻, [P(C₆F₅)₃F₃]⁻, [P(C₃F₇)₃F₃]⁻, [P(C₄F₉)₃F₃]⁻, [P(C₂F₅)₂F₄]⁻, [(C₂F₅)₂P(O)O]⁻, [(C₂F₅)P(O)O₂]²⁻, [P(C₆F₅)₂F₄]⁻, [(CF₃)₂P(O)O]⁻, [(CH₃)₂P(O)O]⁻, [(C₄F₉)₂P(O)O]⁻, [CF₃P(O)O₂]²⁻, [CH₃P(O)O₂]²⁻, [(CH₃O)₂P(O)O]⁻, [BF₃(CF₃)]⁻, [BF₂(C₂F₅)₂]⁻, [BF₃(C₂F₅)]⁻, [BF₂(CF₃)₂]⁻, [B(C₂F₅)₄]⁻, [BF₃(CN)]⁻, [BF₂CN)₂]⁻, [B(CN)₄]⁻, [B(CF₃)₄]⁻, [BF₄]⁻, [B(OCH₃)₄]⁻, [B(OCH₃)₂(OC₂H₅)]⁻, [B(O₂C₂H₄)₂]⁻, [B(O₂C₂H₂)₂]⁻, [B(O₂CH₄)₂]⁻, [N(CF₃)₂]⁻, [N(CN₂)₂]⁻, [C(CN)₃]⁻, [AlCl₄]⁻ and [SiF₆]²⁻.
 6. A process for preparing a salt according to claim 1, comprising alkylating a urea C(O)(NR₂)₂, where R are as defined for the compound of formula (1), by an ester AR⁰, where R⁰ is as defined for the compound of formula (1) and A is selected from the group consisting of [R¹CH₂OSO₃], [R¹SO₃], [R^(F)SO₃], [R^(F)C(O)O] and [CCl₃C(O)O], where R¹ or R^(F) are as defined for the compound of formula (1), or by an oxonium salt (R⁰)₃O⁺A⁻, where R⁰ is as defined for the compound of formula (1) and A⁻ is selected from the group consisting of [(FSO₂)₃C]⁻ and [BF₄]⁻.
 7. A process according to claim 6, wherein the alkylating reaction is carried out at a temperature at which at least one of the components is liquid.
 8. A process for preparing a salt according to claim 1, comprising reacting a salt of formula (1)

where R and R⁰ are as defined for the compound of formula (1) and the anion A⁻ is selected from the group consisting of [BF₄]—, Br—, Cl⁻, I⁻ and [ClO₄]⁻, with a salt Kt⁺A⁻ or with an acid AH, where Kt is an alkali or alkaline earth metal and A is as defined for the compound of formula (1).
 9. An ionic liquid composition, comprising a salt according to claim 1 and one or more compounds suitable for an ionic liquid composition.
 10. A non-aqueous electrolyte composition, comprising a salt according to claim 1 and one or more compounds suitable for a non-aqueous electrolyte composition.
 11. A phase-transfer catalyst composition, comprising a salt according to claim 1 and one or more compounds suitable for a phase-transfer catalyst composition.
 12. A surface-active composition, comprising a salt according to claim 1 and one or more compounds suitable for a surface-active composition. 